Merwilla plumbea, also known as the blue squill, is a perennial, bulb-forming herb in the small genus Merwilla of the family Asparagaceae. It is endemic to the Drakensberg.
Merwilla plumbea is found in the eastern part of South Africa, in Eswatini and Lesotho.
Merwilla plumbea is found on rocky, well-drained slopes at altitudes between 300-2500 metres.
Mature individuals are thought to live, on average, for 25 years.
Merwilla plumbea has been assessed as near threatened due to a 25% decline in the local population from intensive poaching of the bulbs in the wild. In 2006, 1 851 580 bulbs in the Warwick Muti Market and 235 872 bulbs were sold in the Faraday Muti Market.
Two subspecies are recognised: